Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen set for Champions League last-16 showdown

The draw for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League has set up a series of high-profile encounters, including several heavyweight clashes featuring leading African players.

Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain will face Chelsea in one of the standout ties of the round.

The French side, which includes Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi, begin their defence of the title against a Chelsea squad featuring Senegalese striker Mamadou Sarr.

Another eye-catching fixture sees Tottenham Hotspur take on Atlético de Madrid. The contest could pit Ghana’s Mohamed Kudus against Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, setting the stage for a fiercely contested battle between two in-form attacking players.

There is also a heavyweight meeting between Manchester City and Real Madrid. Moroccan international Brahim Diaz and his Madrid team-mates will need to overcome City, who count Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush among their ranks.

Elsewhere, Liverpool, led by Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, have been drawn against Galatasaray, spearheaded by Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.

The tie adds further intrigue to a round already rich in attacking talent from across the African continent.

The remaining fixtures complete a diverse and competitive line-up. Barcelona will meet Newcastle United, while Sporting CP face Bodø/Glimt. Bayern Munich are drawn against Atalanta, and Arsenal will play Bayer Leverkusen.

The draw was conducted two days after the conclusion of the play-off stage, mapping out not only the round of 16 but also the pathway to the final.

With elite clubs and some of Africa’s most prominent talents set to collide, the knockout phase promises compelling contests as teams chase European football’s biggest prize.